Need to Review Criteria for Scholarships, Says CBSE Chairman

New Delhi:  Central Board of Secondary Education Chairman Vineet Joshi called for a study to examine whether scholarships were reaching the needy students as the criteria of exams was leaving many deserving candidates out.

Speaking at a seminar here, the CBSE chairman said that the socio-economically backward sections are left behind when exams become the yardstick for giving scholarship.

"The moment there are standardised exams, they can be managed through preparation. Here, the socio-economic situation of parents matters and those from poorer background are left behind," Joshi said.

"CBSE also gives scholarships, but in absence of any other yardstick, we give it on the basis of exam results like AIEEE, of AIPMT. But in the process, those who need it are left out," he said, adding that a study was needed to look into this.

"We need to do a study on this, I am only saying this on the basis of my interaction," he said.

The seminar organised by Britain-based education foundation Kusuma Trust, which provides scholarships to students from poor socio-economic background.

"Children have one chance of a decent education. Scholarships facilitate and increase access to education and employment opportunities for young people from the most economically disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to realise their potential and break the inter-generational cycle of poverty" said Dr Balwant Singh, CEO of the trust.